CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 324, 14 August 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

The Progress Committee met on Wednesday eveniug, there heing present the Chairman, Mr Dwan, and Messrs Isaacs, Neale, Russell, Gasquoine, Hennelly, and Bain. A set of bye-laws for the conduct of the Committee was presented by the Chairman, and having been discussed, were passed in detail.

It was resolved on the motion of Mr Isaacs, that the Government be informed of the existence of the Committee.

Mr Bain said there was a matter which he thought the Committee should take immediate cognizance of. They were aware of the promises made by the Grovernment of a road to Addison's. They might also know that about a month ago a contract was entered into for the construction of a horse track only to Brown's, but at the same time the specification provided that all the earth works, culverts bridges, &c, should be made the ful width of a dray road. That contract would expire in a day or two, but beyond falling a tree or two little or nothing had been done, and probably it would be found necessary for the G-overnment to call for fresh tenders. It therefore appeared to him to be a good opportunity to press on the notice of the G-overnment the desirability of at once making the work a dray road. The extra expense for increased width of metalling would be comparatively trifling, when the importance and economy of having a good dray road was considered, aud the recent rush in that direction' though unimportant perhaps in itself, only added weight to the argument. He moved —" That a letter be written to the Commissioner, urging upon the Grovernment the superior advantage and economy of making a dray road to Brown's and Addison's, instead of the proposed horse track."

Mr Neale concurred in the remarks just made. He knew for a fact, that through some mismanagement or other scarcely any work had been done un cler the contract just about to expireHe begged to second the motion. After a few remarks from Mr Henelly, the molion was passed. The subject of the recent vote of the Council of £SOO for the purpose of cutting tracks into the interior from the West Coast, having been brought under the notice of the Committee, a resolution to the following effect was proposed by Mr Hennelly and carried : -" That the Commissioner be communicated with in order to ascertain what portion of the sum voted last session for cuttiug exploration tracks is to be allocated to this district, and when and in what manner, it is proposed to expend the same." The Committee then adjourned to Tuesday next.

FROM NELSON" TO THE WEST COAST. By W Temple. (Continued Jron our last) We arrived at Westport the next mornI had slept for fourteen hours at a Btretcb, but no longer -feeling the motion of the vessel, 1 awoke, quite recovered from my temporary illnesa and went ashore, with the intention of recruiting the inner man, by an application for breakfast at some hotel. I was astonished at observing the great number of houses where the proprietors were permitted to bo " drunk on the premises," and I also noticed that the only occupants of the bar were gentlemen iu their shirt sleeves leaning on the counter perusing the morning paper. On reaching he end of the main thoroughfare 1 entered the best hotel T had yet met with, and inquired of the presiding divinity "If breakfast was a possibility, Yes! Breakfast was possible —If I walked into the passage, I would find the room at the end."—

I walked into the passage and found the room, at the end. It was furnished with three tables, a small regiment of chairs, and two gentlemen who .were busily engaged in whisking imaginary dirt from the chairs, and visionary crumbs from the tablecloths with their napkins. As I seated myself at the nearest available resting place, one of them, (who iu my ignorance I mistook for a retired captain of the Guards in disguise) handed me a carte with such an engaging smile that I inadvertently returned his bow. He condescended however, to suppy, me with refreshments, in which he was assisted by his fellow servant, who might have been a colonial bishop, such a benignant coun'eaance did he display. A great many visitors now made their way in some with that pecuilar look about that suggests ideas of champagne at two o'clock in the morning, and soda-\vaterand brandy later in the day, although the clayey moleskins greatly preponderated. The captain bishop discarded their late sedentary task, and were flying about and conveying orders like unwinged mercuries. During this time the storm was raging with unabated

fury, and the rain was beating against the frail tenement, threatening in its mad rage, to level it to the ground, As I contemplated the weather, I asked myself whether it would not be better to defer my intended visit to the surrounding places of note, until better weather should set in. I therefore re-entered the bar, professedly to indulge in P. B. but in reality, to pass away the time in a little harmless flirtation with the attendant Hebe of the establishment. Tins young lady was deeply immersed in., the history'of Alphonzo, the Grreen Cross Knight who was just on the point of releasing the beauteous Seraphina Angelica from the wicked designs of that old profligate the Baron of Swiggrogsen. She descended from her airy eminence, to give me the required beverage and thrust Seraphina igniminiously on a heap of ginger-beer bottles beneath. I spent the day in excursions between the bar and sittingroom, and when evening set in Idetermined on visiting opening ball that was to be held in the neighbourhood. I purchased a bottle of Jockey Cub, and a white handkerchief which I was assured was the only articles of toilette that be required. On entering the room I found that orchestra was composed of a solitary clarionet player, seated on a broken backed chair, with a well-thumbed piece of music on a gin case before him. This unfortunate musician informed me confidentially, that his wind wag not what it used to be, for which I sincerely pitied the poor man, and invited him to join me in an application to the " flowing bowl." A master of ceremonies was present, who kept the company in a delightful state of mystification by shouting out such words as " alonzo," " onions," " gents doubleround," and other incomprehensible sentences. I furthermore noticed that at the conclusion of each set it seemed to be an established custom, which was adhered to unanimously, that each gentleman should convoy his partner to the bar, and spend two shillings thereat. Towards the close of the evening a great many of both sexes were engaged and the fun became fast and furious every body working themselves into a state of perspiration. I came out into the cool air, and walked towards my hotel, the only occupant of the pathway being a representative of the mining community, who had been enjoying himself in his own peculiar manner, and was informing nobody iu particular that he was " all right," but immediately contradicted his assertion by falliug headlong into the gutter. Being myself of an extremely benevolent disposition, I walked up and set him on his legs agaiu, which act of disinterestedness he repaid by (what is termed

in colonial idioms) "walking into me." A humane policeman, however, interrupted his ill-timed amusement, and kindly escorted him to an iron barred house close by, and provided him with a lodging for the night. My friend, the military gentleman, was awaiting me at the hotel, and preceded by him I mounted to my dormitory. I slept the sleep of the innocent that night, interrupted only by pleasant dreams, in which I successfully fought a duel with the C.iptainand obtained the hand of the beautiful Hebe, (who turned on: to be an enchantress on a short visit ti • the West Coast) and that we had beer, joined together in matrimony by the ecclesiastic waiter, and were far away on our jonrney to fairy laud on board the " Young Pretender." I awoke next morning and was startled to see the sun shining into my room, and to hear the whistle of the steamer announcing her speedy departure. I lost no time, but quickly dressed. I dropped my hat, but being pressed for time I did not mind. I managed just to board the boat, and then once more I was afloat, and left the town behind. Finis.